SMS-related issues when you add a bank account on Google Pay

If you encounter any of the issues listed below when you send out an SMS to add your bank account to Google Pay, check the phone and SMS settings.

Enable SMS

Send a test SMS to yourself or someone you know. If it fails, check with your operator if you have an active outgoing SMS pack.

Tip: Some SMS recharge packs don't have outgoing SMS enabled. If you’re a prepaid mobile user, check your plan details.

Insufficient balance

If you’re a prepaid mobile user, follow the steps below:

To send out a message, confirm whether you have the required SMS balance.
To check your balance, follow the steps given by your operator.
To check your balance with different operators, dial the following:
- Jio: 333#
- BSNL: *123*1#
- Airtel: *121*7#
- MTNL: *123#
- Tata: *111#
- VI: *199*1*8#

Check network

To send or receive messages, your phone needs to have good network coverage.
Check if you have a live network connection.

Dual SIM cards

Confirm that the number linked to your bank account is the same as the one from which you send SMS.

If you have a dual SIM phone:

Make sure that you send SMS with the number that’s linked to your bank account.
If your SMS settings are set to “Ask every time,” set the SIM that you linked to your bank account as the primary SIM.
1. Go to Network and settings.
2. Select SIMs SMS.
3. Change your SMS settings.

Refresh your Short Message Service Center (SMSC)

To refresh your SMSC number, contact your manufacturer or operator.

Clear messaging app cache

On your mobile device, open the Settings app.
Tap Apps & notifications.
Select your messaging app.
Tap Storage Clear cache.

Remove inactive bank account

Removal of inactive bank accounts includes reactivation.

To remove an account:

On your mobile device, open the Google Pay app .
At the top right, tap your profile picture.
Tap Bank account.
To activate the bank account, tap it.
- When it prompts you to set a UPI number, tap Not now.
On the “Payment methods” page, tap the activated bank account.
Tap More Remove account Continue.

Add a Bank Account now

Issue remains after completion of all troubleshooting steps

If you have issues when you add your bank account, it’s likely due to problems at the telecom operator’s end.

Continue to try up to 3 times every 24 hours, for up to 7 days from your first try.

If you try more than 3 times within 24 hours, your account will be blocked for the next 24 hours. You can’t try to onboard on GPay within the blocked period.

If you still have these issues 7 days after your first try, contact your operator to check for SIM card or data pack validity issues.

Useful information

Activate a bank account on Google Pay without SMS

To activate your bank account, you should send an SMS through Google Pay as mandated by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). This step is critical to verify the identity of an onboarded user, and is followed by all third-party application providers on UPI.

Issue with SMS delivery

If you’re a prepaid user, check if you have a valid outgoing SMS pack with a minimum balance. If the problem still continues, it might be due to network issues from the provider's end.

Common steps to resolve SMS issues

Follow the steps mentioned in this article, which include:Clear cache.

Refresh SMSC.
Turn on network connectivity.
Make sure you have enough SMS balance.

If the issue still continues, it might be due to network issues from the provider's end.